BRAZIL
Pele due to leave hospital
Pele has recovered well from his kidney ailment and was to leave hospital yesterday, the Sao Paulo clinic that has been treating him for two weeks said on Monday. “He is doing well clinically and does not have any signs of infection. Considering his good recovery, his medical team has scheduled his leaving hospital tomorrow [Tuesday],” a statement from the Albert Einstein clinic read. The announcement came three days after the 74-year-old Pele publicly thanked well-wishers for their support in a video posted on Facebook that also featured him strumming a few tunes on his guitar. Pele was hospitalized on Nov. 24 with a suspected urinary tract infection requiring antibiotics. Three days later, the hospital placed O Rei (“the king”) in intensive care after his condition became “clinically unstable,” briefly alarming fans. Some Brazilian media reported Pele had septicemia, a blood infection, after he initially failed to respond to treatment, but the clinic stopped renal assistance three days later and then moved Pele to semi-intensive care after extensive tests as his health began steadily to improve.
LIGUE 1
Brandao to serve prison term
Brazilian player Brandao is to spend a month in jail, having not appealed against his sentence for head-butting a rival player within the allowed delay, his lawyer said on Monday. The SC Bastia player was sentenced to a month in jail and fined 20,000 euros (US$24,600) for his attack on Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Thiago Motta in the tunnel after their match in the French capital on Aug. 16. He was also banned from playing for six months for the assault, which fractured Motta’s nose. Having been sentenced on Nov. 27, Brandao had 10 days to appeal, but did not do so. He pleaded guilty, but denied it was premeditated.
SUZUKI CUP
Explain attack on fans: AFF
Southeast Asia’s soccer federation yesterday said that it has told Malaysia’s soccer federation to explain its failure to prevent a violent attack on visiting Vietnamese fans during the Suzuki Cup semi-finals. The ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) sent the written demand on Monday, asking why sufficient security measures were not put in place, AFF secretary-general Azzuddin Ahmad said. The deadline for a response is Monday next week. The step can eventually lead to sanctions. “Definitely, it is troubling. Other countries are also hosting the tournament, but there was no violence,” Azzuddin said. At least one Vietnamese fan was injured when Malaysian supporters reportedly attacked the visitors at the end of Sunday’s first leg in Kuala Lumpur, which Vietnam won 2-1. The second leg in Hanoi tomorrow will decide which team reaches the final of the Southeast Asian championship. Police have said five people were arrested and the incident prompted the Malaysian sports minister to apologize to Vietnam.
ITALY
AC Cesena appoint Di Carlo
Serie A strugglers AC Cesena have announced the appointment of Domenico di Carlo as their new coach following the firing of Pierpaolo Bisoli on Monday. “Cesena would like to announce that an agreement was reached this evening with Domenico di Carlo, who has signed a contract with the club until June 30, 2015,” a statement on the club’s Web site said. Di Carlo, whose most recent position was with Serie B side AS Livorno, has also previously coached AC Chievo Verona (twice), UC Sampdoria, Parma and Mantova. With just one win in 14 games, Cesena are second from bottom, two points ahead of Parma.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Forget Real Madrid, Manchester City or Paris Saint-Germain, the world’s best soccer team — statistically speaking — might be a little-known outfit from the closed central Asian nation of Turkmenistan. Founded last year, Arkadag, named in honor of former Turkmen president Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, have been unstoppable, notching up 36 consecutive domestic victories in a run still ongoing. The side have not lost a single competitive match and swept to a league and cup double in their inaugural season — success unthinkable almost anywhere else. However, in Turkmenistan, it could hardly have gone any other way. The energy-rich country is one of the most closed
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping